Face protector for fire fighters



- J1me 1947- M. w. MAMLlN ET AL v FACE PROTECTOR FOR FIRE FIGHTERS Filed Dec. 9, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet l June 3, 1947. w; M MUN ETAL 2,421,427

FACE PROTECTOR FOR FIRE FIGHTERS Filed Dec. 9, 1944 3 sheets -sheet 5 7 Inventor fizz m2? M /Mr Patented June 3, 1947 2,421,427 FACE PROTECTOR FOR FIRE FIGHTERS Morris W. Mamlin, Pine Bluff, and Ralph E. Welker, Laurinburg, N. 0.

Application December 9, 1944, Serial No. 567,402 4 Claims. (Cl. 2-5) This invention relates to a face protector for fire fighters, and more particularly to such protector adapted to be fitted to a firemans helmet or the like.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved face protector adapted to be utilized in conjunction with a firemans helmet, adapted to be swung forwardly over the face of the wearer thereof, in order to enable the operator to approach a blaze relatively closely without burning or injuring the face.

An additional object of this invention is the provision of such a protector adapted to afford the wearer of the helmet maximum visibility when the same is in position. I

Still another object of the invention is the provisio of such a protector adapted to-be pivotally secured to the helmet, in such manner that the same may be readily swung out of the way when not in use.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds and shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a firemans helmet disclosing the device of the instant inven-' tion as applied thereto and in operative position.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but disclosing the device swung to inoperative position; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the device of the instant invention shown as removed from the helmet.

' Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 1. Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 5 -5 of Figure 1, and Y Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of a constructional element.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the severalviews of the drawings.

Having reference now-to the drawings, there is generally indicated at M a firemans helmet of conventional design comprised of a brim I l and a crown l2. 1

Surrounding the crown I2 at its juncture with the brim is a metal band l3, preferably comprised of aluminum or the like, and secured together as by rivets I 4, one of which if desired may be passed through the crown of a hat to hold the band in related assembly therewith.

Secured to oppositely disposed aligned central portions of the band l3 are the flanged ends I5 of offset portions l6, of a roughly semi-circular band Il adapted to extend about the forward edge of the helmet brim II. The extremities I 5 are secured to the band l3 a by means of rivets I8, and an L-shaped member 20 is secured to the band I! as by means of a rivet 2| and the brim II as by means of rivets 22 to hold the parts in related assembly. v I

Pivotally secured to oifset portions 25 of the band I! adjacent the inwardly turned portions 16, as by bolts 26 and nuts 21 are the opposite extremities of a pair of spaced semi-circular bands 28 and 29 between which is secured the upper-peripheral extremity of an arcuate sheet 30 preferably of transparent plastic material such as ,Plexiglas or the like. Sheet 30 is secured between the bands 28 and 29 as by means of rivets or screws 3|.

An L-shaped supporting bracket is secured as by a rivet 36 to a mid-point of the inner band 29, and is adapted to rest as best shown in Figure 4 on the rim of band II, to support the visor 30 in proper position before the face of the wearer of the helmet.

When it is not desired to utilize the shield, the same may be swung about the pivots 26 to the position shown in Figure 2, whereupon it extends upwardly resting on the rear portion of the brim II. A resilient clip 31 may be secured to the brim as by rivets 38 to engage the band 28 and hold the visor in position on the brim of the hat. Now from the foregoing it will be seen that there is herein provided an improved face protector for fire fighters or the like, by means of which the fire fighter may approach a blaze relatively closely, without subjecting his face to the intense heat created by the me.

By constructing the shield of Plexiglas or the like it will be seen that the same is durable, heat-resistant, and substantially unbreakable. However, should the shield become cracked or broken by any chance, it will be obvious that the same may be readily replaced merely by removal of the rivets 3|. y

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim: I

1. Ina device of the character described, in combination, a helmet having a crown and brim, a band surrounding the crown of said helmet, a second band supported by the front portion of the brim and having offset portions secured to said first-mentioned band. a pair of bands having terminal portions pivotally secured to said ofl'set portions, and a transparent visor secured between said pair of bands.

2. In a device of the character described, in combination, a helmet having a crown and brim, a band surrounding the crown or said helmet, a second band supported by the front portion or the brim and having ofiset portions secured to said first-mentioned band, a pair of bands having terminal portions pivotally secured to said oflset portions, a transparent visor secured between said pair. of bands, and means for supporting said visor in depending position at the front of the helmet.

3. In a device of the character described, in combination, a helmet having a crown and brim, a'band surrounding the crown of said helmet, a second band supported by the front portion of the brim and having oifset portions secured to said first-mentioned band, a pair of bands having terminal portions pivotally secured to said oiIset portions, a transparent visor secured between said pair of bands, means for supporting said visor in depending position at the front or the helmet, said means including a supporting bracket secured to one of said pair of bands and adapted to rest on said second-mentioned band. 4. In a device of the character described, in

combination, a helmet having a crown and brim, a band surrounding and secured to the crown of said helmet, a supporting member secured to said band and to a portion of said brim, and a transparent visor pivotally secured to said supporting member.

MORRIS W. MAMLIN.

RALPH E. WELKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,587,893 Bowers June 8, 1926 2,358,978 Huntsman Sept,'26, 1944 2,354,415 Woodard July 24, 1944 

